Sunday 25^th April 2010 – The London Marathon

This is it, the day I have been waiting for since January, the day of the London Marathon.

There is nothing else I can do now but hope that the preparation and training I have put my body through in the last 4 months will be enough to get me round the 26.2 mile course.

The train journey over to Greenwich is one of anticipation and ever increasing nerves.  Looking around me I start to feel inferior to the other runners who somehow look more prepared, more together and far more professional….what have I let myself in for?

Arriving at Greenwich the route to the start line is clearly visible from the floods of people carrying red plastic kit bags and as I follow the crowd the nerves begin to build.

It’s 8.45am as I enter the start zone and I realise there is a whole hour before the gun goes.  Luckily another lone runner befriends me and we make small talk to pass the time.  After a pit stop at the portaloos we head to hand in our kitbags and it’s then that the heavens open and it begins to pour with rain – this wasn’t in the forecast until 2pm – I expected to be most of the way to Pall Mall by the time the rain came – and hadn’t packed the obligatory bin bag to protect myself before the race…however huddling under a tree attempting to stay as dry as possible does distract us from the approaching start time.

By the time we are heading for our holding pens the rain has stopped which is a welcome relief.  I’m in pen 9 – right at the back, however it does mean that I get to see some of the more elaborate costumes including a man with a 6ft tiger strapped to his back!

We slowly move forward and at 9.59am I cross the start line – no looking back we are on our way with hours of running and 26.2 miles ahead of me I feel surprisingly calm and happy!

The atmosphere of the day is evident from the beginning where the streets are lined with supporters cheering us on – including a priest sprinkling holy water, a pub decked out as a pirate ship complete with many pirates on the balcony and the street!

The first mile marker comes sooner than I expect and then it’s just a case of one mile at a time as the crowds cheer us on.

The route feels busy and there are lots of runners to weave between, trying to find my pace and run my race isn’t going to be as easy as it was in the training runs, but looking around me at the variety of people, costumes and reasons for running I feel inspired and proud to be amongst them.  Runners include those on their 8^th marathon in 8 days, a couple celebrating their first wedding anniversary and a birthday boy who is 71 today!

At about mile 7 or 8 I see a butterfly up ahead who I recognise from the big screen at the start – it’s Richard Branson!

As we cross Tower Bridge at 13 miles it feels like a iconic moment – having watched so many people run across it on the TV this is where for me it really feels like I am running the London Marathon.

Not long after I see the 34 person caterpillar ahead of me and have a good look at each runner until I spot Princess Beatrice in the second row – another celebrity spot!

The next big landmark comes at Canary Wharf where the crowds and buzz is fantastic, and the feeling that I am two thirds of the way there hits me and I know I can finish the race.

At mile 20 I feel a pull in the back of my right knee but know that nothing will stop me now – I run on and after another couple of miles the pain subsides again.

By mile 22 I am starting to tire but just as the Tower of London comes into view I hear a bellow of “BETH” to my right and look round to see my best friends grouped together holding aloft a banner saying GO BETH – it was the boost I needed to pick up the pace again and keep going.

As I come on to the embankment I hear another call of my name and spot another friend waving like crazy and cheering me on and then a few metres more and there are my sisters. Seeing the pride in their faces as I run past makes me well up but I know I can’t crack yet just 2 more miles to go.

As I come into Parliament Square the crowds intensify and I pass many runners who are now walking but my legs still feel strong and I am determined to keep going, knowing that the finish line is just ahead helps!

As I look ahead I see a sign saying 600 metres to go – the end feels in sight and before I know it I am rounding the bend into Pall Mall and a sign that says 365 yards to go!  As I look down I see the clock ticking 4 hours 35 minutes one last push gives me the energy to sprint for the finish line and get there before another minute ticks over – but in the push to the finish I forget to raise my arms as I cross the finish line!

I stop just across the line and for the first time in 4 and a half hours my body is still.  Emotions take over and as I leave a voicemail for my Mum I can barely get the words out – “I’ve finished I’ve run the marathon.”

The day is one I will never forget and whatever I do in the future nothing can take away the feeling of joy and pride that I have at having completed such monumental event.  No one can ever take away from me the fact that on Sunday 25^th April 2010 I ran the London Marathon in 4 hours 20 minutes and 19 Seconds (Despite the clock saying 4 hours 35 when I crossed the line this was my official time, taking into consideration that I didn’t cross the start line until nearly 15 minutes after the gun went off).

My thanks go out to all my supporters – those there on the day and those who sent best wishes and moral support for the day and the build up to it and a great thanks to everyone who sponsored me.  Every penny raised has gone to the fantastic cause of the Octavia Foundation, to help disadvantaged individuals in west and central London.  Lastly thank you to Octavia who gave me the opportunity to complete this goal – without your belief and faith in me I would never have got this opportunity – so thank you.

Hi,

Thanks for taking the time to visit my JustGiving page.

I will be running this year’s London Marathon on Sunday 25th April.  It has been one of my personal goal to run the London Marathon for over 6 years now and I am proud to be one of only two participants running on behalf of the Octavia Foundation.

Octavia Foundation aims to improve the quality of life of the communities and individuals in Brent, Hammersmith & Fulham, Kensington & Chelsea and Westminster.

Their work includes
 
· Engaging With Young People & Children
· Supporting & Caring For The Elderly & Disabled
· Helping With Jobs & Training
· Advising On Money & Debt
· Involving The Community

Their efforts improve the lives of local people, especially those in disadvantaged situations and enables them to achieve lasting control of their circumstance to improve their lives in the long term.

As a West London resident I am pleased to be helping my local community by running 26.2 miles around London.  Please make this challenge even more worth while for me and those who will be helped by the money I raise and sponsor me whatever you can afford through Just Giving.

I will also be holding fundraising events in west London in the next few months.  If you would like to hear more about these events please email bethebeth@yahoo.co.uk and I will keep you updated.  You can also track my training progress at Twitter.com/Bethanyecox

Donating through JustGiving is simple, fast and totally secure. Your details are safe with JustGiving – they’ll never sell them on or send unwanted emails. Once you donate, they’ll send your money directly to the charity and make sure Gift Aid is reclaimed on every eligible donation by a UK taxpayer. So it’s the most efficient way to donate - I raise more, whilst saving time and cutting costs for the charity.